On November 15, we hauled the last of
the oily debris collected from the shorelines out of the island aboard LCT Harmony Dianne.
We estimate that the total debris collected will reach 6,000 metric tons.
As we previously communicated,
we are working closely with several organizations including Provincial Government, the departments
of Social Welfare and Development, Agriculture, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,
the Philippine Business for Social Progress to bring other sources of livelihood to Guimarasnons.
On-going projects include vegetable gardening, the production of resin-based gift items,
and parol-making. We are likewise committed to establishing mangrove nurseries, fish cages,
sea grass rehabilitation and the establishment of a fish buying station in Guimaras.
In partnership with the
Department of Education (DepEd), we are already replicating our banner educational programs
on the island. We are doing a survey of Barangay Tando, Nueva Valencia so we can give a firm
timetable on the construction of a Petron School.
Parallel to these efforts, we are organizing
a scientific conference together with the University of the Philippines-Visayas, the National
Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the World Wildlife Fund and the Provincial Government of
Guimaras on November 27-28. The conference aims to:
• Provide a venue for integration of
all scientific assessments completed on the status of Guimaras ecosystems, productivity and biodiversity;
• Provide scientific bases for the effective medium- to
long-term rehabilitation and improvement of coastal and marine habitats and organisms;
• Recommend rehabilitation measures for restored livelihoods and welfare of human communities;
• Contribute to the country’s knowledge on oil
spills and the development of response protocols as well as enhanced capacities in dealing with future
incidents at local, regional and national levels; and.
• Provide a sound basis for a subsequent
donor’s forum to fund required rehabilitation and monitoring activities.
With regard to the compensation of affected families,
representatives of the International Oil Compensation Fund (IOPC) will be meeting with claimants of
the various Guimaras municipalities on November 20 to give an assessment of the claims earlier submitted.
In closing, we wish to take this opportunity to thank
you for your support and confidence in us during this crisis. While there is still a long way to go,
you can be assured that we will continue to do our very best to help Guimaras.
Very truly yours,
(Signed)
Virginia A. Ruivivar
Public Affairs Manager
